Chapter 24 Marine to the rescue!

Kensi drove them around town seemingly in circles but actually with a purpose; they ended up at a reservoir just south of town. She had used enough time for her team to set up. She and Marty secured the bike with a chain and lock at a parking lot at the south end, then started to stroll around the reservoir on its encircling path, hand in hand. They stopped twice briefly for a hug and prolonged deep kiss. The team could see the Lincoln pull up to the north end of the reservoir, park and three men exit the car. Callen and Sam had missed the 3rd man, he must have already been in the car. They stepped behind trees, obviously intending to intercept the couple. Kensi and Marty were warned over comms. As they approached what seemed to be the intercept point Kensi moved somewhat away from Marty, pretending to look for something on the ground.

"I think I dropped it about here," she said loudly.

"I'll look on the other side," Marty said as he moved a little bit off the path.

Meanwhile Eric had run facial rec on the 3rd man . . . it was . . . Jack! OMG!

Kensi and Marty were warned.

Jack slowly moves toward Kensi, hands outstretched in a pleading manner. His two cohorts hang back, watching his 6. "Kensi, good to see you here."

"Jack, too bad I can't say the same. Let me introduce you to my HUSBAND – Marty. Oh, that's right, you've met. At my 18th birthday party if I remember correctly. Quite an eventful evening, wasn't it?"

"So, I have been told." Jack mutters.

"Ha, you were one of the highlights, Jack. Or was it low lights?" Kensi smirks.

"Careful," Callen advises over comms.

Jack winces visibly and his face takes on a dark frown.

Marty has his gun drawn, holding it behind his back as one of the other men slowly heads his way.

"No shooting, ladies and gentlemen, unless absolutely necessary," Hetty advises over comms.

All of a sudden there is a sound like a distant "cough", and the man approaching Marty drops to the ground and is no longer moving.

Jack reacts instantly, taking two quick strides towards Kensi. He wraps one arm around her chest and the other around her neck, pulling a gun and pressing it against her temple. "Don't move Marty," Jack shouts.

"Where the hell did that shot come from?" Sam Hanna shouts over comms. "Eric, you got anything?"

"Probably that ridge to the east," Eric comments.

"Can you see the top, or the other side?"

"Negative."

"Marty, do you and Kensi have a code word or phrase?" Hetty asks.

Marty nods twice.

Marty says to Jack, "I don't know what kind of trouble you are in, but hurting my wife, or worse, will only multiply it many times. You see that picnic table about five yards to your right?"

"Yeah," Jack responds.

"Why don't we start by everyone putting down their weapons, walking over there, sitting down and talking about what we need out of this little standoff? I will start."

Marty puts down his Baretta and his back-up .38 from his ankle holster, then stands up with his hands ¾ raised.

"Your turn, Jack."

"F U!"

"Jack," Marty sounds disappointed. "C'mon man, that's not fair. What do you want with Kensi anyway? Last I heard you thought she was pretty much a bitch. Doesn't sound like your type, man."

"I'll decide my type!"

"Ok, what do you want?" Marty repeats.

"Shut up!"

"Jack, please don't hurt my family*."

Kensi's eyes get big, then she collapses to the ground, taking Jack by surprise.

"Cough"

Jack goes down, a single GSW to his forehead and the back of his skull blown away.

Jack's accomplice is stunned, Marty scrambles and retrieves his Baretta, "Freeze, drop your weapon!" Marty shouts, the man does.

"Someone coming to take out the trash?" Marty asks. He steps over to Kensi and wraps her up in a huge hug.

"On it," Callen snorts over comms.

"Will someone secure our sniper, please?" Hetty requests.

"On it," replies Kensi. Marty grins.

"Shut up!"

"I didn't say a thing."

"I heard the gears grinding."

"I just had an oil change!"

"Children, behave!" Hetty smiles. 'This could be a kick-ass team' Hetty ponders.


* Borrowed from the Reagan family on Blue Bloods.